The Official Airport Assistance Network of the World Airports
The Official Airport Assistance Network of the World Airports
It's easy to find some Swedish flavours before even crossing the airport. From leisurely sit-down restaurants to artisan coffee of a fine cup to take away before you board the train, Arlanda has a lot to offer.
One of the airport's signature restaurants, Pontus in the Air was conceived by renowned Swedish chef Pontus Frithiof. The menu emphasizes contemporary Scandinavian dishes, which include fresh seafood, high quality meat and seasonal local ingredients. It's a popular restaurant among business travelers and couples seeking a more subdued evening.
Founded in Sweden, Max Burgers has become a favourite among both locals and visitors. Apart from the traditional burgers made of beef, it has one of the largest menus of vegetarian and plant-based burgers in Europe and is a great option for those wanting a fast and good meal while traveling.
Coffee, juices, smoothies and specialty coffee are available and the freshly made sandwiches are a popular option at this Scandinavian café. This is a perfect place to eat before or after your flight or to take a break during your layover to rest and recuperate.
Sweden's largest coffee chain has several outlets throughout Arlanda Airport. It is one of the most packed cafés during the day, with fresh cinnamon buns and pastries, and expertly brewed coffee, sandwiches. Often used for early morning travel when travellers are looking for a reliable breakfast.
Those with longer layovers frequently visit O'Learys to savor burgers, grilled fare, salads, American and international-style comfort food and live sports. It has plenty of room to sit and relax and is a great place to spend an hour or two before heading off.
Kitchen & Table is found within the interior of the Clarion Hotel Arlanda Airport and has a Nordic flavor with international influences. Overnight visitors and early arrivals at the airport frequently opt for this restaurant for a more sophisticated meal without venturing too far out of the complex.
Way Cup offers premium quality Swedish coffee along with fresh pastries, sandwiches and grab-and-go snacks. It's particularly convenient when you need something quick without sacrificing quality.
Dining Tip: Some restaurants will start to serve breakfast very early, as early as 5:30am, to ensure early morning take-off while several stay open until late evening. When it comes to the overnight travellers, there will be less food options after the last wave of the evening.
Any traveller who wants to get away from the hectic terminal before their flight, will find a few good lounges at Stockholm Arlanda Airport. The lounges are mainly in Terminal 5 and there are other lounges for travellers from countries within the Schengen Area. From Business Class flights, to elite status with an airline or membership like Priority Pass, LoungeKey or DragonPass, there are a number of comfortable places to unwind, get work done, or refresh yourself before takeoff.
One of the airport's most popular premium lounges is the SAS Lounge which is available for eligible SAS Business Class passengers, as well as EuroBonus Gold and Diamond members and Star Alliance Gold travelers. Inside, you will be greeted with Scandinavian inspired interiors, complimentary hot and cold meals, self-service beverages, workstations and large windows overlooking the apron. It is especially favored by business tourists traveling to other European and North American countries.
The SAS Gold Lounge is situated right next to the standard SAS Lounge and is a more peaceful and private area for frequent and high-level flyers. Luxury dining, seating and business facilities and superb views of the runways are available in a relaxed environment.
Visitors who have been traveling with participating airlines or are LoungeKey, DragonPass or Priority Pass members are welcome at the Aurora Lounge. The lounge provides complimentary refreshments, alcoholic beverages, newspapers, charging points and comfortable seating areas. This is one of the easiest premium areas to enjoy before departure for independent travellers that don't have access to airside lounges.
Just one of Europe's greatest airport lounges, the American Express Lounge by Pontus fuses Scandinavian style and hospitality with outstanding food. They are served freshly culled food cooked by a celebrity chef, high quality beverages, stylish decor, shower facilities and serene working spaces. Eligible American Express Platinum and Centurion cardholders and select airline passengers have access.
If you don't have airline status, the Pearl Lounge is a comfortable option that's available to many travelers, and can sometimes be pass-holded as a lounge membership or bought (depending on the airline). Snacks, drinks, free WiFi, charging stations are all included in this—this is a great choice for extended layovers.
There's lots of comfortable seating around SkyCity and Terminal 5, for those who don't get lounge access. The Scandinavian style of the airport has large windows facing the runways, calm areas for sitting and many charging points to work or just relax before boarding.
The stores at Stockholm Arlanda airport embody the Swedish design ideal, high-quality goods and top international brands. Main duty-free shops are found in the international departures areas of Terminal 5 and others are found through the rest of SkyCity and in the passenger areas. Most shops are available to shoplift throughout the day in accordance with the flight schedules, which means that travellers can visit the store whether they are leaving early in the morning or late at night.
At Arlanda Duty Free you can find a wide selection of tax free products, like premium fragrances, cosmetics and skin care, swedish chocolates, confectionery, wines, spirits and tobacco products. International and Scandinavian favourites alike are pitched side by side and it's easy to take some fancy items and some local favourites on the plane.
Beautifully packaged chocolates, cloudberry preserves, handmade presents and high quality food are on display throughout the airport to give to tourists who want to see real Swedish souvenirs. Gifts of quality Swedish design products, crystalware, local sweets and artisan foods are truly Swedish and not just the typical airport souvenirs.
Fashion and accessories are well represented as well. Stores carry internationally acclaimed brands as well as Scandinavian brands with minimalism in style. Travel essentials, sunglasses, watches, leather, luggage accessories and electronics round out the last-minute shopping, and leave you with a surprising amount of options.
It is also possible for many duty free retailers to have other online service where you can reserve and collect. Instead of booking at the airport, travellers can visit airport products and make on-line bookings of their chosen products and then pick them up at the airport before their trip. This is a Time-Saving Solution in peak travel times and makes popular products available.
Duty-Free Shopping Tip: The duty-free prices may be higher than their domestic retail counterparts, so compare the two before buying in bulk, especially electronics, when traveling outside the European Union. At Stockholm Arlanda Airport, however, it is possible to get some of the best purchases in luxury fragrances, cosmetics, Swedish sweets, chocolates and local spirits.
In addition to duty-free shopping, Stockholm Arlanda has a superb range of shops which serve foreigners as well as Swedes.
One of Sweden's best-known department store brands, Ahléns offers fashion, beauty products, accessories, travel essentials and Scandinavian homeware. A wonderful spot to see practical Swedish designed objects before you leave the country.
Pocket Shop's most popular items include bestselling novels, travel guides, magazines and children's books in various languages. It's a great late-night shopping idea for a long overseas trip!
For those who are looking for a genuine Swedish gift of food, Swedish Taste is a must stop with aisles stocked with high quality chocolates, local delights, artisan treats and great giftable gourmet goods.
There are a few electronics stores at Terminal 5, which carry power banks, universal travel adapters, charging cables, and headphones. These outlets are especially helpful to travelers who need to replace equipment they forgot to pack for the journey.
The departures area is dotted with international fashion labels, luggage stores and Scandinavian lifestyle stores. Arlanda's shopping choices are more diverse than many European airports, be it for a winter jacket, a quality backpack or elegant travel accessories.
Where many airports are only about shopping, the clean design, large public spaces and carefully selected shops at Stockholm Arlanda airport are all an expression of the Swedish culture.
The central point of the airport is SkyCity which links Terminal 4 and Terminal 5. SkyCity is more than a walkway; it is a mini city centre with restaurants, cafés, retail stores, hotels and seating areas. The glass-covered concourse is flooded with daylight, making it a bright and welcoming space even during the winter months in Sweden.
If you're a fan of Scandinavian design, you'll find it throughout the airport. The wood finishes, simple interior design and tastefully chosen art bring a distinctly Swedish character to the space, not just a generic one. Though you're not necessarily shopping, it is a fun place to stroll around when on a longer layover.
If you have a passion for flying, there are several seats around the bigger international gates with great views of planes coming from Europe, North America and Asia. Taxiing wide-bodied planes past the backdrop of the forests of Sweden is surprisingly calm, especially during the less busy afternoon hours.
For families travelling with children, there are special zones dedicated to children where they can get out and run off before their flight. Arlanda is one of the more child friendly airports in the north of Europe, along with the spacious walkways and family facilities.
Reliable free Wi-Fi, many charging stations and convenient working areas are available throughout the airport for business travellers. In addition, SkyCity also offers the Clarion Hotel Arlanda Airport for overnight stays or early departures, without having to leave the airport complex.
Airport visitors will also be able to appreciate the various rotating exhibitions of works by Swedish artists in various public spaces of the airport. Although not a conventional gallery, these installations offer a fascinating insight into the culture of today's Sweden and often fluctuate throughout the year.
If you have an extra hour, walk at your leisure through SkyCity instead of waiting at your departure gate. Enjoy a Swedish cinnamon bun and coffee from one of the cafés, explore Scandinavian design shops and see the planes from the panoramic windows. One of the very few European airport terminals that a relaxing period after or before a flight is actually a pleasant experience.
The currency exchange offices and ATM machines can be found in all the arrivals and departures areas. Contactless card payments are accepted by most shops and restaurants in Sweden, but there are still some items in which it may be necessary to have a few Swedish Krona.
Inside the airport, travellers can buy SIM cards from convenience stores and electronics stores. Sweden has good mobile reception and eSIM now makes it possible for many tourists visiting the country to activate their eSIM before they land in Sweden, thus gaining access to mobile services right away.
The Internet is free all over Stockholm Arlanda Airport, allowing you to easily surf the web or stream content or work remotely while waiting for your flight. Gates, seating areas and restaurants are conveniently located with charging stations and USB ports.
There are first aid stations, pharmacies and Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) throughout the airport. There is a medical care system that can be promptly set in place by airport staff in case of need.
For passengers who need extra help, there are self-service baggage lockers, lost property, and baggage wrapping services, and a porter to help you. Airport Assist is capable of arranging such luggage assistance in case a traveller is towing several luggage cartons and/or travelling with family.
There are a number of hotels within walking distance or directly connected to SkyCity, such as the Comfort Hotel Arlanda Airport Terminal and the Clarion Hotel Arlanda Airport. Such are perfect for overnight layovers, early departure or missed flights.
There are three hours of connection so it is best to stay in the airport and have a good time at the facilities available in Terminal 5 and SkyCity. Start with a cup of coffee and freshly baked pastry from Espresso House or Joe & The Juice and then wander around the Scandinavian lifestyle shops and duty-free stores. If there is a lounge, relax in one of the top-of-the-range lounges for the remaining time before heading to the departure gate 45 minutes before your flight.
A five- to six-hour layover may be sufficient to allow you to see a bit of Stockholm, as long as you adhere to the Schengen requirements of the country. The fastest is the Arlanda Express, which reaches its destination in 18 minutes: Stockholm Central Station. Then take a short walk through the old town (Gamla Stan), look at the colorful historic buildings, take a traditional Swedish coffee break (fika) and again walk to the airport at least 2 ½ hours before your flight.
Stockholm is definitely a place to visit if you have at least 8 hours. Use the Arlanda Express to get into the city and start your tour in Gamla Stan and then walk towards the Royal Palace and the waterfront. You can go to the nearby shopping area of the city Norrmalm, or if time allows you can visit Vasa Museum on the island Djurgården. Have lunch at a Swedish restaurant before heading back to Arlanda at least three hours before flying out to another country, for security and passport checks.
There is no better and faster train service from Stockholm Arlanda Airport to Stockholm Central railway station than Arlanda Express. The trains run every 10-15 minutes during the day and it takes about 18 minutes. This is typically the fastest and most dependable means of travel for those who have a brief layover period.
There are also regional trains that run from the airport to Stockholm, commuter trains that travel to Arlanda from Stockholm, and commuter trains that travel to several other cities in Sweden. They are slower than the Arlanda Express, but may be more cost effective depending on the final destination.
Airport Coaches Flygbussarna service runs from the airport to central Stockholm several times an hour, stopping at a number of different stations. Coaches are at ease, can accommodate bags and are a budget option for those not pressing the time.
Official airport taxis are available 24 hours a day outside each terminal. There are several operators with fixed prices to the city centre from Arlanda so it is worth checking the price before you start your trip. Do not use unlicensed vehicles and only use official taxi stands.
The airport is served by international rental agencies such as Avis, Hertz, Europcar, Six and Enterprise. Clear signs on rental desks and car collection areas a short shuttle ride from the terminals. Renting a car offers much flexibility if you are going to go around Sweden, away from Stockholm.
Pro Tip: During the winter months, make sure you allow for a bit more time on your trip to the airport if you're travelling through the city of Stockholm. It's a very reliable transport system in Sweden, but during snowy conditions, road traffic and flight timings may be hindered. If you're traveling abroad, check-in at least 3 hours prior to flights and have Airport Assist with Fast Track service to make your travel much more relaxed.
